The Communication Process
By
Olaide Alabi
Objectives
At the end of this lecture, learners
are expected to
1.
Define communication
2.
State the Categories of classroom communication
3.
State the levels of communication
4.
Mention the elements of communication in education
5.
Explain the principles of communication
The Communication Process
Definition
of communication
Communication is a process that
involves sending and receiving messages through verbal and non-verbal methods.
It refers to the exchange of
information, ideas, emotions and attitudes through verbal or non-verbal means
between two or more than two participants.
The communication process refers to
the steps or stages involved in the exchange of information, ideas, thoughts,
or messages between two or more parties. It is a dynamic and interactive
process that involves a sender, a message, a channel of communication, a
receiver, and feedback.
It is a process that involves a
shared code of verbal and non-verbal symbols. It includes all methods of
conveying any thoughts, feelings, and attitudes between the person(s). It
involves the meeting of minds and the sharing of ideas.
Communication is a two-way process
of giving and receiving information through any number of channels.
Precisely communication is sending
and receiving information. For communication to be effective it must be
interactive and feedback makes it to be effective.
Levels of
Communication
1. Interpersonal
Communication: It comprises of two people. The most effective medium is
interpersonal communication, because it gives immediate feedback, it brings
about an exclusive form of Education.
2. Small
group Communication: This is a kind of communication that involves a small
class of 30 – 35 students with a teacher directing the process of instruction.
3. Public
Communication: This is a level of communication where the delivery of
information is given to a large audience, such communication could be in the
form of campaigns; rallies; and open-air service. In the school system, there
could be a general assembly in the mornings and afternoons where all the
pupils/students come together to be addressed by the school authority.
4. Mass
Communication: This involves sending messages to a large audience at
different places simultaneously. Television and Radio are the common mass media
but the most effective are Radio, Newspaper, Pamphlets, and Magazines are the
other examples. Educational Broadcasts do take place through radio and
Television.
Elements
of Communication in Education
Elements of communication in
education are the basic things required for good communication to take place.
a. Source
(Sender): In most cases in education, the teacher is the sender because he
initiates class discussion.
b. Destination
(Receiver): The pupils/students receive information from the teacher.
c. Message:
The information to be delivered is based on an aspect of knowledge, attitudes,
beliefs, skills, values or an aspect of culture.
d. Channel/Media:
These are how the information will be delivered to the required audience –
Radio, Television, Public Address System, Moving Pictures (Video and Films),
Computer, and other Instructional Materials through which the message can be
sent.
e. Encode
– The procedure of translating ideas, feelings and information meaningfully
based on the learner’s characteristics.
f. Decode
– The interpretation and translation of the message sent.
g. Feedback
– It is an individual attempt to restructure or modify the communication
process based on information about the effectiveness or impact of the message
as revealed by the receiver.
Roles of
communication in teaching
1. Teachers
need to realise the need to communicate to share their knowledge and
information with others therefore understanding how to communicate effectively
is a big role in their profession that must not be taken with levity.
2. A
well-communicated information inspires students to learn and participate
in class.
3. Communication
in a school ensures instructional clarity, teachers must convey their
lessons, expectations, and objectives clearly to their students.
4. Effective
communication helps bridge the gap between a teacher's knowledge and a
student's understanding.
5. It
helps in developing the personality of the learner, building the skill of
decision-making, assuming responsibility, finding solutions by sharing,
discussing ideas, and accepting others. Strong and effective exchange of
information and knowledge.
6. Good
communication gives room for the integration of technology into the classroom,
this allows teachers to alter their teaching practices and content, as
technologies enable the learning process to be more creative, interactive,
engaging, and authentic.
7. Effective
communication can help students better understand the subject matter,
encourage participation, and foster a positive learning environment.
8. Effective
communication: makes instruction to be clear, cohesive, complete, concise,
and concrete.
Principles of
communication
It is an indisputable fact that
communication makes a society what it is, the kind of communication available
could make or mar the society. Good communication available empowers a society
in numerous ways. It makes and builds relationships and frames our responses
and actions.
However, there can be a huge
gap between the intention behind words, and the response they receive. There
are also occasions when things are best left unsaid, or when poorly worded or
bad timing could lead to confusion, concern and misconceptions.
Ability to abide by the
principles of communication is an excellent illustration of the way to prevail
over the complexities of communication. The mode of communication could lead to
peace or war, so it is always important to think before uttering any statement.
In a school system,
communication is like the organised network of a school. Communicating decently
requires a diverse range of skills to make those words to be impactful.
School systems need good internal
communication to bring about unity and effectiveness,
Whether one is speaking informally
to a colleague or formally addressing a conference, reporting to a meeting, or
writing a newsletter article the following are the essential principles for
effective communication.
1.
Dependability
The process of communication should
portray some level of trust in the information provided.
To initiate trust, you must manifest
a level of behaviour that runs through all aspects of good communication with
students. Pick out the classes of students who you need to talk to, decide the
content and mode of presentation,
Come up with meaningful and relevant
objectives of communication. Realise that the purpose of your communication
should be related to your content which could be either to warn, educate,
inform, influence, motivate, persuade or a combination of all these.
Study your students vigilantly, to
guarantee your communications show skill and warmth, which would make students
depend on you.
2. Possess good
listening skills
Good listening skills give you the
chance to know the messages required, and how relevant and appropriate the
information is, this should be based on audience interest and concern, in the
school system, it will be based on the required concept.
You need to be curious by reading
body language, assessing behaviours and using open-ended questions and prompts
to gather comprehensive insights. Your presence and good rapport would go a
long way to assist your students.
3.
Clarity and Effective Speaking Skills
Presentation of content to students
could mar or make you, you could have enormous knowledge and understanding, but
the inability to express well with accurate facts is a bad attitude in
communication. Oral communication should therefore be a process of lifelong
learning, especially as you need to alter what you say according to differing
intents, audiences and issues. No matter what your role, there will be times
when you need to speak with confidence, clarity and intent. Use the first
principles outlined above, as a platform.
4. Good Writing
Skills
Writing skills also involve
considering your students, intent and the best way to achieve the outcome you
want. Plan everything you write, before you start. The kind of words you choose
goes a long way to carry your audience along with you in verbal communication
and it should be realised that such words might not be appropriate in written
communication. In essence, written communication should be formal, highly
structured and comprehensive.
Good writing skills – like good
verbal communication – come from being succinct and using language that your
audience can connect to. Both require that you assess students’ level of
understanding – and the necessity of technical terms – if the subject matter is
complex or requires context. It is expected that you adopt a style for reports,
there is a need to understand the peculiarity in the format of writing. In a
nutshell evaluate the students and intent, the words most likely to achieve
your outcome, and the format that matches the situation.
5. Good Reading
Skills
Possessing the knack for integrating
the content of the message from available materials is highly instrumental in
the communication process. Quick, efficient and ‘open-minded’ reading is on par
with active listening. It grows your ability to understand not just
facts, but also the intent of information you receive, and any ‘between the
lines’ issues or concerns.
6. No
Assumptions
Bearing in mind that your students
possess differences in character, nature and desires of your students is not
the same, so don’t make assumptions about them in a way that distorts or skews
your communications inappropriately.
You must communicate without
patronising or overwhelming students, so knowing your students should be a
reality, not a presumption.
7.
Non-Judgemental
As a teacher, you are expected to
possess the skill, and face the reality about the level of your students
belong, so being lenient can be problematic.
So in your communications, you need
to be empathetic, clear and engaging, without appearing to devalue or deride
students.
8. Value
Difference
It is highly germane to have the
understanding that these students come from different backgrounds, so as you
address them as a group you are at the same time addressing individuals
with diverse levels of understanding and ability, and differing natures and
attitudes.
Give room to the fact that students
assimilate information at their own pace. It could require written materials to
back up verbal presentations. Therefore there are times when you must vary your
communications in terms of the language used, technical sophistication or
intent, to cater to differing needs. Valuing differences also compels you to be
aware of special sensitivities, such as racial, religious, gender or
socio-economic factors.
9. Authenticity
To have authentic information to
pass across to your students you need to do a thorough study and read widely to
plan and write out the content of your information
10. Developing
Interest and Curiosity
Good communication should generate
interest and curiosity about the topic under study. To achieve the right level
of interest and curiosity, build opportunities for your students to ask
questions or request additional information. Communication between teacher and
students should be two-way communications as this can foster improvements,
innovations and upward learning in an instructional system.
Therefore, in keeping the principles
of communication you are required to:
- Know your audience.
- Know your purpose.
- Know your topic.
- Anticipate objections.
- Present a rounded picture.
- Achieve credibility with your audience.
- Follow through on what you say.
- Communicate a little at a time.
- Present information in several ways and
use multiple communication techniques.
- Develop a practical, useful way to get
feedback.
Assignment-Submit your assignment at the comment session
Give a summary of the role of
communication in teaching in just two sentences
References
El Zorkany, M., Yasser, A., &
Galal, A. I. (2020). Vehicle to vehicle “V2V” communication: scope, importance,
challenges, research directions and future. The Open Transportation
Journal, 14(1).
Kilper, D., Thompson, J., Zhang, Y.,
& Huang, K. (2020). IEEE Transactions on Green Communications and
Computing: New Research Scope. IEEE Transactions on Green
Communications and Networking, 4(4), 939-943.
Rigotti, E., & Rocci, A. (2006).
Towards a definition of communication context. Studies in communication
sciences, 6(2), 155-180.
Verčič, A. T., Verčič, D., &
Sriramesh, K. (2012). Internal communication: Definition, parameters, and the
future. Public relations review, 38(2), 223-230.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346031905_Definitions_of_Communication#fullTextFileContent
Communication plays an important role in teaching because it helps the teacher present lessons, expectations and ideas clearly so that students can understand and participate actively. It also creates feedback between teacher and learners, which helps the teacher know whether learning has taken place and where improvement is needed.
ReplyDelete